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Mental health survey

The pressurised situations and responsibilities that medical students will experience while studying can be uniquely stressful and in some cases can contribute to mental health problems. It is essential that medical students are well-supported during their time at university and that assistance and advice are readily available.

The Wales Medical Student Committee (WMSC) believes that it is important that there are services that provide support to medical students and ensuring that they are signposted effectively should be key priorities for all medical schools.
WMSC would like to find out what the experiences of medical students in Wales have been of services in accessing mental health support services.

As part of our work to secure improvements to these services, we are conducting a survey of medical students at both Cardiff and Swansea medical schools, seeking to learn more about their experiences of the support that is available to help with their mental health.

All responses are confidential. The responses to this survey will give us an idea of individual students' personal experiences and using these responses, we will seek to work with both Cardiff and Swansea medical schools to find ways in which improvements can be made to the support that medical students receive.

The BMA also provides confidential support and counselling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Mastering medical school

September 20, 08:02 PMKickerThis is a kicker.

Starting medical school can be daunting. While figuring out room numbers and building names, youre also adjusting to life in a new city with new people.
As an organisation that represents you, we understand your fears and were familiar with the challenges you are about to face. We hope you find this a useful resource to help you through the first few weeks and months of your study.
Listen to real\-life advice from fellow students, read our top tips on budgeting, and find out how we help you to make the most of your time at medical school.

You can join the BMA for FREE as a first year medical student! Visit our stand at your nearest [freshers event](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/studying\-medicine/your\-first\-year/freshers\-week\-2016) or [join now](https://www.bma.org.uk/membership/calling\-all\-freshers?rc=6239)

Top tips from medical students

Be adventurous

Get involved in the community. For me, it was getting plugged into a church and finding volunteer opportunities.
Its also a nice way to learn more about your new city and not be thinking medicine all the time.
**Final year international student, Hull**

Do what you enjoy

Play music, join sports teams, keep fit, read books that arent about medicine. Do what you enjoy. It will help to keep you sane and interesting.
**F1, Derbyshire**

Make friends

They are the most important thing to be acquired during the first few weeks of medical school.
They bring snacks to break up that three\-hour session on public health and, more than anything, they let you know you are not alone.
**Second year medical student, Glasgow**

Dont buy any textbooks before going to medical school!

Textbooks

Do not buy any before going to medical school! Ask students in the years above which textbooks they used, and then try them through the university or the BMA library before you decide to purchase your own copy.
**F1, Derbyshire**

Persevere

My first week of medical school was more daunting than I expected. I suddenly went from being spoon fed for A\-levels, to self\-directed learning \(my medical school practised problem\-based learning\).
My advice to new starters is to persevere. Some people start the first week flying. I would say it was really in my second or third year of medical school that I started settling in properly.
**ST3, Oxford**

Medical equipment, travel costs and learning materials can make a large dent in your pocket.
Making a budget at the beginning of the year can pay dividends later on and allow you to live life to the full while studying.

The basic rule is to work out what your outgoings are and then compare them to your income.

The trick is to ensure you have more coming in than going out, with a little spare to cover any emergencies or special treats. Remember to include any bursary and other support funds in your budget.

Dont change your spending behaviour on loan day

Income

Avoid seeing **maintenance loans and grants** as free money to spend immediately don't change your spending behaviour on loan day!
Keep an eye out for **grants**, its always worth looking around and checking eligibility criteria.
Look out for **flexible jobs** you can fit around your busy timetable, such as ambassadorial roles at open days, to earn some extra money.
Create a **savings account** for any money made during the holidays so you can make your money work for you throughout the year.

Learn to cook! Cooking is far cheaper than eating out

Expenses

Shop for the best deal in **rent and utilities** look out for accommodation with utilities included in the rent.
**Learn to cook**! It's far cheaper than eating out regularly, especially if you cook with unbranded items.
Subscribing to **on\-demand TV or film streaming** could work out cheaper than a TV licence.
See if you can get student discount on your **phone contract** and check whether your parents **insurance** covers you.
Compare the cost of fuelling, running, taxing and insuring a car against the cost of a **public transport season ticket**.
Remember to factor in the costs of **sports team and society membership**.
[Read more financial tips and advice](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/work\-life\-support/your\-finances\-and\-protection/guide\-to\-medical\-student\-finance)

We can help

BMA library

Need a text book and dont have time to go to the library? No problem we can deliver any of our 35,000 books to your door for free, anywhere in the UK.
The BMA library also gives members online access to a wide range of e\-books and e\-journals.

[Discover how the library can help you](http://bma.org.uk/library)

Career and education resources

[Student BMJ](http://student.bmj.com/student/student\-bmj.html), [BMJ Learning](http://learning.bmj.com/learning/home.html) and [BMJ OnExamination](http://www.onexamination.com/exams/student/medical\-student\-fresher#QuestionBrowser) are all available to you as a BMA member.
Look out for OnExamination discounts that take place throughout the year.
[Learn more about the BMJ resources available to you](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/studying\-medicine/your\-first\-year/learning)
Access career resources and support including webinars and [recordings](http://bmawebinar.public\-i.tv/core/portal/webcasts), in addition to [Sci59](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/applying\-for\-training/psychometric\-test), an online psychometric test which will help you make career choices.

We will be attending freshers events around the UK come and say hello, we will have information, guidance and freebies for you to enjoy!
[Find out where well be and when](https://www.bma.org.uk/advice/career/studying\-medicine/your\-first\-year/freshers\-week\-2016)

Fancy winning a gadget package?

Textbooks, laptops, stationery the necessities of medical school can put you out of pocket before youve even reached the lecture theatre.
A gadget package designed specifically for first\-year medical students could help ease you into student life.
[Take part in our competition, running until the end of October 2016](https://www.bma.org.uk/connecting\-doctors/community\_focus/b/student\_opinion/posts/win\-a\-student\-gadget\-package)

Get your first
year of membership free!

BMA membership will give you essential support throughout your studies and in your personal life.
Freshers are eligible for a free year of BMA membership, and a discounted rate after that.
[Start your free membership today](https://www.bma.org.uk/membership/calling\-all\-freshers?rc=6239)

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